Trench-forming apparatus and methods
Disclosed are trench-forming apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes L-shaped frame rails. In another embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes frame rails configured for insertion into a removable form. In a further embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes removable clips configured to releasably attach to frame rails and insert into a removable form.
Applicant claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/426,165, filed Nov. 14, 2002, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.
BACKGROUNDConcrete-lined, covered trenches are used in road, parking lot, tarmac, and manufacturing plant applications. Such trenches typically include a pair of opposed rails that include a grate supporting surface upon which grates may be placed to cover the completed trench. Examples of such trenches are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,784, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure. That patent discloses trench-forming apparatus which includes opposed, Z-shaped rails that form the edges of the trench and, once the trench has been completed, support removable grates.
Although the trench-forming apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,784 works well, they can be expensive to construct. In particular, the Z-shaped rails of the apparatus are expensive to manufacture in that the rails are made of relatively-thick (e.g., {fraction (1/4)} inch thick) metal members which, in some cases, must be longitudinally bent in two separate places to form the Z-shape.
SUMMARYDisclosed are trench-forming apparatus and methods. In one embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes L-shaped frame rails, and a removable form, wherein the removable form is configured to define an inner trench surface of a completed trench and the frame rails are configured to define top edges of the completed trench.
In another embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes frame rails including a horizontal portion that is configured for insertion into a removable form, and a removable form including lateral grooves that are configured to receive frame rails, wherein the frame rails are configured to support the removable form in an excavated trench when the horizontal portions are inserted into the lateral grooves of the removable form.
In a further embodiment, a trench-forming apparatus includes frame rails, removable clips configured to releasably attach to the frame rails, the clips comprising a horizontal portion that is configured for insertion into a removable form, and a removable form including lateral grooves that are configured to receive the clips, wherein the frame rails are configured to support the removable form in an excavated trench using the removable clips when the horizontal portions of the clips are inserted into the lateral grooves of the removable form.
In one embodiment, a method for forming a trench includes inserting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench into a removable form, positioning the frame rails coupled with the removable form in an excavated trench, pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls, and removing the removable form after the hardenable material has cured to an appropriate degree.
In another embodiment, a method for forming a trench includes connecting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench using removable cross-members, adhering a removable form to the cross-members, positioning the frame rails, removable cross-members, and removable form in an excavated trench, pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls, removing the removable cross-members from the frame rails, and removing the removable form.
In a further embodiment, a method for forming a trench includes connecting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench to removable cross-members to form a trench-forming apparatus, attaching a removable form to the trench-forming apparatus such that the removable cross-members are received by rectangular transverse notches of the removable form, positioning the trench-forming apparatus and removable form in an excavated trench, pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls, removing the removable cross-members from the frame rails, and removing the removable form.
In yet another embodiment, a method for forming a trench includes connecting removable clips to frame rails, attaching a removable form to the frame rails using the removable clips by inserting horizontal portions of the removable clips into lateral grooves of the removable form, positioning the frame rails, removable clips, and removable form in an excavated trench, pouring hardenable material in the interstitial space between the removable form and trench walls, and removing the removable form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe disclosed trench-forming apparatus and methods can be better understood in relation to the accompanying drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale.
Referring now in more detail to the drawings in which like numerals indicate corresponding parts through the several views,
The frame rails 102, 104 are constructed of a rigid material such as metal or plastic and may be, for instance, {fraction (1/4)} inch thick. Preferably, the rigid material is galvanized, painted, or unpainted steel, cast or extruded aluminum, or cast iron. The horizontal portion 110 of each frame rail 102, 104 is provided with a plurality of openings 112 (only visible in rail 102 in
Attached to each frame rail 102, 104 are fixation members 114. As indicated in
As is further indicated in
In addition to the frame rails 102, 104 and the removable form 106, the trench-forming apparatus 100 includes removable cross-members 128 that maintain proper separation between the first and second frame rails 102 and 104 during trench completion. In the embodiment of
Further illustrated in
Prior to mounting the cross-members 128, the fasteners 144 may be passed through the cross-members such that the threaded ends of those fasteners extend upward from the cross-members. Such placement of the fasteners 144 permits the fasteners, and therefore the cross-members 128 and the remainder of the apparatus 100, to attach to the suspension members 136. When cross-members 128 are attached to the suspension members 136 and the apparatus 100 is positioned within the excavated trench 400, the suspension members suspend the removable form 106 in place through their contact with the hard surface 402. As noted above, the apparatus 100 can, alternatively, be held in place using support members and support rods that are placed within the excavated trench, if desired. Moreover, as noted above, the frame rails 102, 104 may be simply urged inwardly against the outer surface of the form 106 instead of being inserted into lateral grooves. In such a case, the frame rails 102, 104 abut the form similar to the abutment shown in
Once the removable form 106 has been removed (as indicated in
The nuts 134, or other elements to which the fasteners 132 coupled, remain within the completed trench 600, encased in the hardened material 602. Adjacent the nuts 134 are openings 606 that remain after removal of the fasteners 132 into which the same or other fasteners may be reintroduced so as to facilitate securing of grates (not shown) to the completed trench 600. Due to the insertion of the horizontal portions 110 of the frame rails 102, 104 into the removable form 106 (see
As is further shown in
Openings 1010 are provided in the first horizontal portion 1004 to facilitate securing of cross-members (such as cross-members 128) to the frame rail 1000 and/or to facilitate securing of grates to the completed trench. The second horizontal portion 1008 is positioned and configured for receipt by the lateral grooves 124 of the removable form 106. With such an arrangement, the frame rail 1000 can be used to support the removable form 106 in an excavated trench. Coupling of frame rails 1000 to the removable form 106 is depicted in
The second generally vertical portion 1706 also comprises several distinct sub-portions including a first angled portion 1720, a first vertical portion 1722, a second angled portion 1724, a second vertical portion 1726, a third angled portion 1728, a third vertical portion 1730, and a fourth angled portion 1732. Extending from the second vertical portion 1726 are unitarily-formed fixation tabs 1734 that, for example, are formed using a punch press.
Because of the angled configuration of the lateral grooves 1910, steps may need to be taken to accommodate the cross-members if they are to be used. For instance, rectangular transverse notches (not shown) similar to those described above may need to be formed in the top surface 1902 of the form 1900. In such a case, those notches may have different depths, particularly if it is desired to place the cross-members in contact with the bottom surfaces of the transverse notches. Notably, however, transverse notches may not be required. For instance, the top of the form 1900 may be cut along the length of the form to emulate the angle of the lateral grooves 1910. No such cutting, or notch formation for that matter, may be necessary, however, if removable clips (see, e.g.,
Claims
1. A trench-forming apparatus, comprising:
- L-shaped frame rails; and
- a removable form;
- wherein the removable form is configured to define an inner trench surface of a completed trench and the frame rails are configured to define top edges of the completed trench.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped frame rails comprise a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, the vertical and horizontal portions being at an approximately right angle relative to each other.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped frame rails comprise fixation members that are configured to hold the rails in place within the completed trench.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable form comprises lateral grooves that are adapted to receive the L-shaped frame rails.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising cross-members that are configured to maintain proper separation of the L-shaped frame rails.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the cross-members are configured to be releasably secured to the L-shaped frame rails.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the removable form comprises rectangular transverse notches that are configured to receive the cross-members.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an attachment mechanism provided on the cross-members, the attachment mechanism configured to secure the removable form to the cross-members.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises adhesive.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises double-sided tape.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the L-shaped frame rails comprise openings that facilitate connection to cross-members that maintain proper separation of the L-shaped frame rails.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable form comprises a bottom surface that is sloped relative to a top surface of the form to facilitate formation of a sloped trench.
13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the removable form comprises an inner core and an outer shell.
14. A frame rail for use in forming a trench, the frame rail comprising:
- a vertical portion;
- a horizontal portion that extends from the vertical portion at an approximately right angle relative to the vertical portion; and
- fixation members that extend outwardly from the frame rail, the fixation members being configured to hold the rails in place within a completed trench;
- wherein the frame rail includes no other vertical portions.
15. The frame rail of claim 14, wherein the horizontal portion comprises openings that facilitate connection of removable cross-members, a grate, or both.
16. The frame rail of claim 14, wherein the horizontal portion is configured for insertion into a removable form.
17. A removable form for use in forming a trench, the removable form comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface; and
- lateral grooves that are configured to receive members that are used to support the form in place within an excavated trench during trench completion.
18. The removable form of claim 17, wherein the lateral grooves are configured to receive frame rails that define upper edges of a completed trench.
19. The removable form of claim 17, wherein the lateral grooves are configured to receive removable clips that attach to frame rails that define upper edges of a completed trench.
20. The removable form of claim 17, wherein the lateral grooves are angled relative to the top surface of the form to facilitate formation of a sloped trench.
21. The removable form of claim 17, further comprising a rectangular transverse notch that is configured to receive a removable cross-member that attaches to frame rails that define upper edges of a completed trench.
22. The removable form of claim 17, wherein the form comprises an inner core and an outer shell.
23. A method for forming a trench, the method comprising:
- inserting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench into a removable form;
- positioning the frame rails coupled with the removable form in an excavated trench;
- pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls; and
- removing the removable form after the hardenable material has cured to an appropriate degree.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising supporting the frame rails within the excavated trench using the frame rails.
25. A method for forming a trench, the method comprising:
- connecting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench using removable cross-members;
- adhering a removable form to the cross-members;
- positioning the frame rails, removable cross-members, and removable form in an excavated trench;
- pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls;
- removing the removable cross-members from the frame rails; and
- removing the removable form.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein adhering a removable form to the cross-members comprises adhering the removable form to the cross-members using an adhesive.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein adhering a removable form to the cross-members comprises adhering the removable form to the cross-members using double-sided tape.
28. A method for forming a trench, the method comprising:
- connecting frame rails that define upper edges of the trench to removable cross-members to form a trench-forming apparatus;
- attaching a removable form to the trench-forming apparatus such that the removable cross-members are received by rectangular transverse notches of the removable form;
- positioning the trench-forming apparatus and removable form in an excavated trench;
- pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls;
- removing the removable cross-members from the frame rails; and
- removing the removable form.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein attaching a removable form to the trench-forming apparatus comprises inserting the frame rails into the removable form.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein attaching a removable form to the trench-forming apparatus comprises adhering the removable form to the removable cross-members.
31. A trench-forming apparatus, comprising:
- frame rails including a horizontal portion that is configured for insertion into a removable form; and
- a removable form including lateral grooves that are configured to receive frame rails;
- wherein the frame rails are configured to support the removable form in an excavated trench when the horizontal portions are inserted into the lateral grooves of the removable form.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the frame rails comprise fixation members that extend outwardly from the frame rails.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising removable cross-members that connect the frame rails.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the removable form comprises rectangular transverse notches that are configured to receive the removable cross-members.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the removable form comprises an inner core and an outer shell.
36. A trench-forming apparatus, comprising:
- frame rails;
- removable clips configured to releasably attach to the frame rails, the clips comprising a horizontal portion that is configured for insertion into a removable form; and
- a removable form including lateral grooves that are configured to receive the clips;
- wherein the frame rails are configured to support the removable form in an excavated trench using the removable clips when the horizontal portions of the clips are inserted into the lateral grooves of the removable form.
37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the removable clips attach to the frame rails using threaded fasteners.
38. A method for forming a trench, the method comprising:
- connecting removable clips to frame rails;
- attaching a removable form to the frame rails using the removable clips by inserting horizontal portions of the removable clips into lateral grooves of the removable form;
- positioning the frame rails, removable clips, and removable form in an excavated trench;
- pouring hardenable material in a space between the removable form and trench walls; and
- removing the removable form.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising removing the removable clips from the frame rails.
40. A frame rail made of a light gauge, rigid material, the frame rail comprising:
- a first vertical portion;
- a first horizontal portion connected to the first vertical portion;
- a second vertical portion connected to the first horizontal portion; and
- a second horizontal portion that is configured for insertion into a lateral groove of a removable form.
41. The frame rail of claim 40, wherein the first horizontal portion comprises openings.
42. The frame rail of claim 40, wherein the frame rail is made of approximately 16 to 10 gauge steel.
43. A frame rail made of a light gauge, rigid material, the frame rail comprising:
- a generally vertical portion;
- a central portion connected to the generally vertical portion, the central portion comprising unitarily fixation tabs that are formed through a punching process; and
- a horizontal portion that is configured for insertion in a lateral groove of a removable form.
44. The frame rail of claim 43, wherein the generally vertical portion comprises three distinct sub-portions.
45. The frame rail of claim 43, wherein the horizontal portion comprises openings.
46. The frame rail of claim 43, wherein the frame rail is made of approximately 16 to 10 gauge steel.
47. The frame rail of claim 43, further comprising a second vertical portion connected to the horizontal portion and a second horizontal portion connected to the second vertical portion, the horizontal portion, second vertical portion, and second horizontal portion being configured for insertion into a lateral groove of a removable form.
48. A frame rail made of a light gauge, rigid material, the frame rail comprising:
- a first generally vertical portion including unitarily fixation tabs formed through a punching process;
- a horizontal portion connected to the first generally vertical portion; and
- a second generally vertical portion connected to the horizontal portion, the second generally vertical portion including unitarily fixation tabs formed through a punching process.
49. The frame rail of claim 48, wherein the first generally vertical portion comprises a first angled portion, a first vertical portion, a second angled portion, a second vertical portion, and a third angled portion.
50. The frame rail of claim 48, wherein the second generally vertical portion comprises a first angled portion, a first vertical portion, a second angled portion, a second vertical portion, a third angled portion, a third vertical portion, and a fourth angled portion.
51. The frame rail of claim 48, wherein the horizontal portion comprises openings.
52. The frame rail of claim 48, wherein the frame rail is made of approximately 16 to 10 gauge steel.
53. A frame rail made of light gauge, rigid material, the frame rail comprising:
- fixation tabs that are unitarily-formed with the rail.
54. The frame rail of claim 53, comprising a horizontal portion that includes openings.
55. The frame rail of claim 53, wherein the frame rail is made of approximately 16 to 10 gauge steel.
56. A removable form for use in forming a trench, the removable form comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface; and
- rectangular transverse notches formed in the top surface, the transverse notches being configured to receive cross-members that connect frame rails together.
57. The removable form of claim 56, further comprising lateral grooves that are configured to facilitate support of the form in an excavated trench.
58. The removable form of claim 57, wherein the lateral grooves are angled relative to the top surface of the form to facilitate formation of a sloped trench.
59. The removable form of claim 57, wherein tops of the lateral grooves align with bottoms of the rectangular transverse notches.
60. The removable form of claim 56, wherein the form comprises an inner core and an outer shell.
61. A removable form for use in forming a trench, the removable form comprising:
- a top surface;
- a bottom surface; and
- internal score lines that define integral but separable portions of the form, the score lines facilitating removal of the form by facilitating removal of the form in separate pieces.
62. The removable form of claim 61, further comprising lateral grooves formed in the bottom surface.
63. The removable form of claim 61, further comprising rectangular transverse grooves formed in the top surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 14, 2003
Publication Date: Feb 3, 2005
Inventor: Albert Bricker (St. Marys, GA)
Application Number: 10/714,048